Waters to Watch
Waters to Watch

WHAT IS WATERS TO WATCH?

The 10 Waters to Watch list, assembled by the nation’s leading authorities on aquatic conservation, is a collection of rivers, streams and shores that will be cleaner and healthier habitats for the many fish and wildlife species and people who call these areas home.

Thanks to the combined actions of concerned community groups, non-profit organizations, local watershed groups, Native American tribes and state and federal agencies, these waters are being improved by planting stream-side vegetation, removing structures blocking fish from habitat and protecting bodies of water from the effects of industrial processes, agriculture and livestock.

They are representative of freshwater to marine waters across the country including lakes and reservoirs that are improving through the conservation efforts of the National Fish Habitat Action Plan — a bold initiative to reverse persistent declines in aquatic habitat.

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2023 waters to watch

Use the map below to view each years Waters to Watch projects. We showcase write-ups from each project that makes the list and have been compiling these projects for over 10 years.

Big Lake, Alaska (2013 Retrospective Project)

Big Lake, Alaska (2013 Retrospective Project)

Project Submission by: The Mat-Su Basin Salmon Habitat Partnership

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Spread Creek, Wyoming

Spread Creek, Wyoming

Project Submission by: The Western Native Trout Initiative

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Native Fish Passage in the San Joaquin River, California

Native Fish Passage in the San Joaquin River, California

Project Submission by: The California Fish Passage Forum

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Mid Klamath Tributary, California

Mid Klamath Tributary, California

Project Submission by: The California Fish Passage Forum

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Matheson Wetland, Utah

Matheson Wetland, Utah

Project Submission by: The Desert Fish Habitat Partnership

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Lower Heʻeia Watershed, Oahu, Hawaiʻi (2015 Retrospective Project)

Lower Heʻeia Watershed, Oahu, Hawaiʻi (2015 Retrospective Project)

Project Submission by: The Hawai'i Fish Habitat Partnership

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Island Park Reservoir, Idaho

Island Park Reservoir, Idaho

Project Submission by: The Reservoir Fish Habitat Partnership

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Galena River Watershed, Illinois

Galena River Watershed, Illinois

Project Submission by: The Fishers & Farmers Partnership

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Finn Rock Run, Oregon

Finn Rock Run, Oregon

Project Submission by: The Pacific Lamprey Conservation Initiative

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Annette Island, Metlakatla Indian Community

Annette Island, Metlakatla Indian Community

Project Submission by: The Southeast Alaska Fish Habitat Partnership

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